Agni Purana — Yoga & Brahma-vidya, Shloka 34
Chapter 371 — Yama-Niyama and Praṇava-Upāsanā (Oṅkāra) as Brahma-vidyā
वैदिकस्तान्त्रिको मिश्रो विष्णार्वै त्रिविधो मखः त्रयानामीप्सितेनैकविधिना हरिमर्चयेत्
vaidikastāntriko miśro viṣṇārvai trividho makhaḥ trayānāmīpsitenaikavidhinā harimarcayet
حقًّا إن المَخا (القربان/الذبيحة الطقسية) لفيشنو ثلاثةُ أنواع: ويديّ، وتانتريّ، ومختلط. وفي أيٍّ من هذه الثلاثة ينبغي أن يُعبد هري بطريقةٍ واحدةٍ هي المرغوبة، أي الملائمة للنسك المختار.
Lord Agni (instructing sage Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purana’s ritual sections)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Tantra","practical_application":"Choose an appropriate ritual framework—Vedic, Tantric, or mixed—for Viṣṇu-yajña, and maintain internal consistency of method within the chosen mode.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Three Modes of Viṣṇu-makha: Vaidika, Tāntika, Miśra","lookup_keywords":["Vishnu makha","vaidika","tantika","misra","worship method"],"quick_summary":"Viṣṇu-sacrifice is classified into Vedic, Tantric, and mixed forms; worship Hari according to the single coherent procedure suited to the selected rite."}
Concept: Adhikāra and aucitya (appropriateness): multiple valid ritual paths exist; efficacy depends on coherent observance of the chosen vidhi.
Application: Avoid mixing incompatible steps ad hoc; if adopting a mixed rite, do so by an established miśra-krama rather than random combination.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Vishnu-yajna and mixed Vedic–Tantric ritual procedure)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A triptych-like depiction of three Viṣṇu-yajña modes: Vedic fire-sacrifice, Tantric arcana with nyāsa/mantra, and a harmonized mixed procedure, all oriented to Hari.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural triptych, left: Vedic homa with priests; center: Tantric pūjā with yantra and nyāsa gestures; right: mixed rite; Viṣṇu presiding above, traditional mural borders and saturated tones.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore composition with three panels framed in gold, each panel showing a distinct ritual setup, central Viṣṇu with gold halo unifying the scene, ornate lamps and vessels.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore instructional painting, diagrammatic clarity: labeled ‘Vaidika’, ‘Tāntrika’, ‘Miśra’, showing key implements and sequence cues, Viṣṇu icon constant across panels.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature with three adjacent vignettes, meticulous ritual paraphernalia, scribal labels in margins, Viṣṇu image repeated, refined architectural interiors."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"didactic","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: vaidikastāntriko → vaidikaḥ | tāntrikaḥ. viṣṇārvai is read as viṣṇoḥ | vai (sandhi: oḥ + v → arv in some transmissions; normalized here). trayānāmīpsitenaikavidhinā → trayāṇām | īpsitena | eka-vidhinā. harimarcayet → harim | arcayet.
Related Themes: Agni Purana pūjā-vidhi chapters distinguishing vaidika/tāntrika procedures; Agni Purana yajña and dīkṣā-related discussions
FAQs
It classifies Viṣṇu-oriented sacrificial worship into three operational systems—Vedic, Tantric, and a mixed form—and instructs the practitioner to perform Hari’s worship consistently according to the single, selected procedure within the chosen system.
By mapping multiple ritual technologies (śruti-based yajña, tantra-based arcana, and their synthesis) into a clear taxonomy, it shows how the Agni Purana functions as a compendium that reconciles parallel traditions of Hindu practice under one instructional framework.
The verse emphasizes disciplined ritual coherence—worship performed in an internally consistent method (Vedic, Tantric, or mixed) is presented as the proper way to honor Hari, supporting steadiness (niyama) and intended religious merit (puṇya) through correct observance.